Kristi Noem

Extracted Attributes

• Education

  B.A. in Political Science, South Dakota State University (2011)

• Full Name

  Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem

• Birth Date

  1971-11-30

• Birth Place

  Watertown, South Dakota, United States

• Occupations

  Politician, Rancher, Farmer, Writer

• Political Party

  Republican

• Military Affiliation

  Member of the Civil Air Patrol

Timeline

• Born in Watertown, South Dakota. (Source: Wikidata)

  1971-11-30

• Left college to manage the family ranch after her father died in a farming accident. (Source: Miller Center)

  1994-01-01

• Began serving in the South Dakota House of Representatives. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2007-01-01

• Sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for South Dakota's at-large district. (Source: US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives)

  2011-01-03

• Inaugurated as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2019-01-05

• Published her first autobiography, 'Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland'. (Source: Miller Center)

  2022-01-01

• Published 'No Going Back', which faced criticism for accounts of killing a dog and false claims about foreign leaders. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2024-01-01

• Sworn in as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security. (Source: Archives of Women's Political Communication)

  2025-01-25

• Defended the killing of Rene Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, leading to calls for resignation. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2026-01-01

• Testified before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary regarding alleged misconduct and misuse of funds. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2026-03-01

• Removed from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security by Donald Trump. (Source: Document afebcfa9-a3b0-45e0-a3b3-266bc5fd8267)

  2026-03-15

Kristi Noem

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem ( NOHM; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician who served as the eighth United States secretary of homeland security from 2025 to 2026. A member of the Republican Party, she served from 2019 to 2025 as the 33rd governor of South Dakota and represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. During her tenure at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), her immigration policies generated controversies, particularly the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Born in Watertown, South Dakota, Noem began her political career in the South Dakota House of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011. She was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota in 2018 with the endorsement of President Donald Trump. She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for opposing statewide mask mandates in favor of voluntary measures. Noem has conservative positions on most domestic issues, particularly gun rights, abortion, and immigration. Noem is a rancher and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. She has published two autobiographies, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland (2022) and No Going Back (2024), the latter of which sparked controversy for its account of her killing a young family dog and false claims about meeting with foreign leaders. Donald Trump nominated her as his secretary of homeland security, the Senate confirmed her, and she was sworn in on January 25, 2025. In January 2026, Noem defended the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, before any investigation, which led some lawmakers to call for her resignation or impeachment. In March 2026, Noem appeared before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary after reports emerged of her alleged relationship with her subordinate, Corey Lewandowski, and of her misuse of government funds on television advertisements and private luxury jets. Her testimony before the committee intensified criticism from Congress. After the congressional hearing, Trump announced his decision to remove Noem from DHS.

Web Search Results

• Kristi Noem (2025- ) | Miller Center

  After four terms in Congress, Noem decided to run for governor of South Dakota in 2018. She won the election, becoming the state’s first female governor. As governor, Noem focused on cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and expanding economic opportunities in South Dakota. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she gained national attention for her refusal to implement statewide lockdowns or mask mandates, arguing for personal responsibility over government intervention. Her approach drew both praise and criticism but solidified her reputation as a staunch conservative leader. [...] Noem was reelected as governor in 2022, continuing her focus on limiting government intervention and promoting business-friendly policies. She remained a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and aligned herself with the broader conservative movement on issues such as gun rights, border security, and social policies. She wrote two books: Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland (2022) and No Going Back (2024). [...] Kristi Lynn Noem was born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, and she was raised alongside her three siblings on the family's farm and ranch in rural Hamlin County. In 1990, she graduated from Hamlin High School, where she was crowned South Dakota Snow Queen. In 1994, Noem’s father was killed in an accident, and she left college to manage the family farm. Noem first entered public service in 2006 when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives. Representing the 6th district, she quickly became known for her advocacy on agriculture and economic policy and advocated for increased gun rights and reformed property taxes. During her second term in the South Dakota House of Representatives, she served as an assistant majority leader.

• NOEM, Kristi | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

  ## Concise Biography NOEM, Kristi, a Representative from South Dakota; born in Watertown, Codington County, S.Dak., November 30, 1971; graduated from Hamlin High School, Hayti, S.Dak., 1990; attended Mount Marty College, Yankton, S.Dak.; attended Northern State University, Aberdeen, S.Dak., 1990-1992; B.A., South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.Dak., 2011; farmer; rancher; member of the South Dakota state house of representatives, 2007-2010; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Twelfth and to the three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2011-January 3, 2019); was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress in 2018; Governor of South Dakota, 2019-2025; Secretary of Homeland Security in the Cabinet of President Donald J. Trump, 2025-present. [...] Kristi Noem was born Kristi Lynn Arnold on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Ron and Corrine Arnold. Her parents were farmers and ranchers. Noem attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and later took courses at South Dakota State University in Brookings and the Watertown campus of Mount Marty College. In 1994 her father died in an accident on the family farm in Hazel, South Dakota, and Noem postponed her studies to manage the business with her brother. They raised cattle, corn, soybeans, and wheat, and eventually opened a hunting lodge and restaurant.1 In 2011 Noem finished her bachelor’s degree in political science from South Dakota State University. Noem and her husband, Bryon Noem, married in 1992 and have three children.2 [...] 21“Noem on Agriculture Committee: Better Late than Never”; Jerry Hagstrom, “Noem on House Ag Committee: South Dakota Representative Appointed to Post on Committee,” 20 June 2011, Grand Forks Herald (ND): 24; Congressional Record, House, 112th Cong., 1st sess. (14 June 2011): 9128. 22Politics in America, 2016; Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011, H.R. 1633, 112th Cong., 1st sess. (2011). 23Peter Harriman, “Kristi Noem Talks about Budget, Debt Ceiling,” 13 March 2011, Argus Leader: n.p.; Almanac of American Politics, 2014: 1518; Dana Ferguson, “Candidates Split on How to Fix ACA Flaws,” 16 October 2016, Argus Leader: A3; Jonathan Ellis, “Navigating Kristi Noem, GOP in ’12,” 8 May 2011, Argus Leader: B1.

• Governor Kristi Noem - Trail of Governors Foundation

  Noem earned national attention for her management of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, emphasizing personal responsibility over government mandates. That same year, she welcomed President Trump to Mount Rushmore to resume its annual display of Fourth of July Fireworks. Noem capitalized on her national profile with the “Freedom Works Here” campaign, which encouraged like-minded businesses and workers to relocate to South Dakota. [...] Noem entered politics in 2006 when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, serving two terms. During her second term, she served as assistant majority leader, and was a leader of the effort to establish a productivity-based assessment system for agricultural property valuations. [...] As Governor, Noem emphasized limited government, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth. She prioritized expanding broadband access to rural areas, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening South Dakota’s agriculture industry. Under her leadership, South Dakota achieved record-low unemployment rates, record tourism growth, and significant expansion in housing and workforce development. Noem also championed the protection of Second Amendment rights, the expansion of foster care and adoption services, and efforts to promote civics education in schools.

• Kristi Noem - Archives of Women's Political Communication

  ## Biography Kristi Noem assumed office as secretary of homeland security on January 25, 2025. She previously served as governor of South Dakota from 2019-2025, the first woman to serve of governor of that state. Noem served as the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011-2019. Noem was born November 30, 1971, in South Dakota. While she was attending college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, Noem's father's death in a farming accident forced her to return to home to run the family's ranch. While serving in Congress, Noem took classes at South Dakota State University and in 2011, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. [...] In 2006, Noem was elected as the 6th District representative to the South Dakota House of Representatives, a position she held until she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. For information on Noem's policy subject areas, committee appointments and sponsored/co-sponsored legislation during her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, please visit her profile on . Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (n.d.). Noem, Kristi (1971-). Retrieved on June 3, 2020, from . Ballotpedia (n.d.). Kristi Noem. Retrieved on June 3, 2020, from . ## Speeches [...] Protecting Our 2nd Amendment - December 7, 2017 Experience - October 10, 2017 Working for us - Oct. 22, 2014 Went to work - Oct. 15, 2014 Works Hard - Oct. 24, 2012 Tea Time - Oct. 8, 2012 Trash Day - Sept. 21, 2012 Home Radio Ad - Aug. 28, 2012 Thanks - Oct. 20, 2010 Board Games - Oct. 1, 2010 Caucus - Sept. 21, 2010 Serve - Sept. 13, 2010 Kristi Noem for Congress - May 25, 2010 Kristi Noem for Congress - April 21, 2010

• Kristi L. Noem | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

  ### Senate Committee [...] [Energy ]( "include this search constraint") [Foreign Trade and International Finance ]( "include this search constraint") [Sports and Recreation ]( "include this search constraint") [Water Resources Development ]( "include this search constraint") [Commerce ]( "include this search constraint") [Law ]( "include this search constraint") [Emergency Management ]( "include this search constraint") [Arts, Culture, Religion ]( "include this search constraint") [...] Here are the steps for Status of Legislation: 1. Introduced Array ( [actionDate] => 2018-09-24 [displayText] => Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 115-959, Part I. [externalActionCode] => 5000 [description] => Introduced [chamberOfAction] => House ) 2. Passed House Array ( [actionDate] => 2018-09-27 [displayText] => Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 240 - 177 (Roll no. 411).(text: CR H9118-9126) [externalActionCode] => 8000 [description] => Passed House [chamberOfAction] => House )

• Image

  

• Gender

  female

• Educated At

  Northern State University

• Instance Of

  Q5

• Occupation

  writer

• Citizenship

  United States

• Date Of Birth

  11/30/1971

• Place Of Birth

  Watertown